Happy (almost) September!

We have had an incredibly strong start to the school year with a focus on building community and relationships, and providing opportunities for deep learning! Teachers are diving into curriculum while still creating space for structured collaborative learning, inquiring, and exploration.

This week we received our School Performance Framework, which is a document from the Colorado Department of Education that outlines our status as a school based upon 3rd-6th grade students' CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) scores from the spring. I'm happy to report that we received the highest score this school has ever had, and we did it all while encompassing the idea that not all classrooms have four walls! I'm so proud of the dedication of our staff and students to align experiential learning opportunities to support curriculum and student growth! This data is a huge celebration for the school and our community!

Please pay attention to important dates below as we have several big events coming up! If you have not already done so, please follow/like us on Facebook! I will be putting all of our happenings on there to share the amazing things our students and staff are doing.

At UPES, we believe our families and community are in integral part of growing our children into successful and happy young people! We look forward to partnering with you this school year!

Again, thank you for your support. We can't wait for you to watch us grow this year!

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

September

2- Labor Day, No School

3- 2nd/5th to Flying Pig Farm

4- 6th Grade to Catamount

5- Fun Run Kickoff Assembly

6- 5th Grade to Catamount, 3rd/Groth to Flying Pig Farm

10- School Picture Day, PAC 3 pm in the Music Room

11- Late Start, 4th/5th Overnight Backpacking Trip at Catamount

12- 4th and 5th Graders Return

13- 5th Grade to Catamount

16- Mountain Math Starts, BOE Meeting at MSHS Media Center 5:30 pm

17- Pre-K, 1st, and Riffle to Flying Pig Farm

18- 6th to Chico Basin Ranch, Open Outdoors Family Event (4-5 pm), SAC District Meeting 5:30-7:30

20- Staff Work Day, No Students

23- 5th to Catamount, Neon Day

24- Crazy Hat/Hair Day

25- Team Up Together Day

26- Mustang Fun Run, Crazy Socks Day

27- Homecoming Parade 1 pm (All-School), Green and Gold Day

30- UPES Vision/Hearing Screenings, 5th Grade to Catamount

Student safety is paramount to everything we do at UPES. Per out Family/Student Handbook (linked above), please note the following expectations for all visitors and volunteers to Ute Pass Elementary:

Partnerships with our schools are an important piece in a child’s education. Volunteers are expected to make arrangements prior to volunteering in the school or classroom. In some instances where volunteers or chaperones are supervising students alone, a background check is required. If you think you’ll want to chaperone for events, please contact your child’s teacher to find out about needs and opportunities. For the safety of our students and staff, during school hours, all family members, visitors, non-district workers, and volunteers must sign in at the office and receive a badge to be visible at all times when in our building. State-issued identification is required by school personnel for check in through our Raptor system. Visitors during lunch will sit at a visitor’s table with their child(ren). When leaving, all visitors must check out at the office.

In the mornings, family members may walk their child(ren) to the entryway, but we ask that you give all your "have a great days" and "goodbyes" at the door. This helps us ensure that only staff members and pre-arranged visitors are in the building once school begins. Thank you for helping us provide a safe learning environment for all students!

We are fortunate to have Nurse Sarah Lee back with us full-time at UPES again this year! If you have any emergency medicine or health information that the school needs, please submit that to Nurse Sarah as soon as possible. Her email is slee@mssd14.org. Be on the lookout for a flyer coming home from Mobile Smiles!

Duty/supervision/breakfast begins at 7:35.

The first bell for students to enter classrooms is at 7:55, and the tardy bell will ring at 8:00. Dismissal is at 2:50.

Here are the ins and outs of our pick up/drop off lane:

• The family drop-off/pick-up lane will allow children to be picked up all the way to the end of the central sidewalk (to the gas meters against the street).
  
• Teachers will supervise students in the locations noted on the map above.
• No car will move into or exit the lane until every car has been loaded. (If you do not have the time to wait, please consider parking and walking in the areas marked above.)
  
• When all cars are loaded, the line of cars will exit together.
• The crossing guard will then allow walking parents to cross the parking lot at crosswalks to gain access to their vehicles.
  
• When these vehicles are loaded and moving, the next line waiting on Chipita Park Road will be allowed in to begin the process again.
• Furry Friday dismissal- on Fridays, bring your dogs through our pick-up lane for a treat!
  
• Friday afternoon concerts- Mr. Ferguson will be playing on select Friday afternoons at dismissal (weather permitting)!
  
• Do not utilize the bus lane parking lot for drop-off or pick-up.

Please note the available areas for parking and walking above. If your child is sitting on the wall with their teacher, please ask a staff member to get your child for you to avoid excess traffic near the pick-up lane. As always, your patience is deeply appreciated!

We are excited to welcome Savanna Anstedt back as our Preschool teacher at UPES! When UPES is on a late start Wednesday, students in preschool will follow their typical schedule (not the late start schedule). Preschool students do not attend school on Fridays.

Please reach out to Ms. Savanna at sanstedt@mssd14.org with any questions.

Free Meals for Students, Plus Important Reminders for Families

We are excited to share that all students in Manitou Springs School District will receive free breakfast and lunch through the Healthy School Meals for All program! This new statewide program, approved by Colorado voters, is helping Colorado children and teens have access to nutritious food at our schools.

Even though breakfast and lunch will be provided for free, we need families to continue sharing household income information through this form in order for our school to receive full access to federal funding.

Be sure to fill out the form as part of your back-to-school registration! If you have questions or would like additional support, please reach out to Paula Faucette-Director of Nutrition Services, 719-685-2005 or email pfaucette@mssd14.org for more information.

The school district will be providing supervision for a limited number of students during all late start Wednesdays during the 24-25 school year. To sign up, follow the Google Form link below and register your student(s).

It is important that registration is completed only for students who would otherwise not be able to attend school if not for late start childcare.

https://forms.gle/yM9kLatxQKw7eU1F6

Late Start Wednesdays for first semester:

• August 28
  

• September 11
• October 2
• November 6
• November 20
• December 11

Connect14 is an incredible opportunity for students that attend Manitou Springs School District 14. New this year, Connect14 will be run by individual schools. UPES will be releasing class opportunities for sign-up on Monday, September 9th. Stay tuned for more information for the classes that will be offered at UPES this semester!

Manitou Springs Elementary School will host an after-school program through Champions After School Care. This opportunity will be offered to Ute Pass Families also, and transportation would be provided from UPES to MSES after school.

We have a very active and incredible Parent Action Committee who supports our little school in BIG ways!

The PAC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:00 pm in the music room at UPES. Moving into the 24-25 school year, the PAC is excited to have a larger presence in the school, continuing to take care of the amazing staff at UPES, putting on events and meeting new families, and to get new members! They will have a table set up at our Open House/Open Outdoors with more information and opportunities to join in on the fun! Please contact Janelle, PAC President, at upepac@gmail.com with any questions.

Dear MSSD14 Community,

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you! The Manitou Springs Kiwanis Club has generously agreed to allocate a portion of the proceeds from their annual golf tournament to help our district purchase six new radios this year. These radios are vital to our school safety efforts, and this support will significantly enhance our ability to communicate effectively across our schools.

In addition to their support for the radios, the Kiwanis Club continues to be a strong partner in other ways, contributing to the MSSD14 community through various initiatives (please see the attached flyer for more details).

Special Offer for MSSD14 Employees:

The Kiwanis Club is offering a $25 discount to any MSSD14 employee who registers for their upcoming golf tournament. Here are the details:

• Location: Walking Stick Golf Course, 4301 Walking Stick Blvd, Pueblo, Colorado

• Format: Two-Man Scramble

• Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024

• Time: Registration from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, Shotgun Start at 9:00 AM

• Cost: $175 per player (includes greens fee, cart, lunch, drinks, range balls)

• Discount: $25 off for MSSD14 employees

To register or for more information, please contact Jay Pretzer at JayPretzer60@gmail.com or 719-491-5468. Please note that registration must be completed with full payment by September 6th.

This is a wonderful opportunity not only to support a great cause but also to enjoy a day of fun and camaraderie. If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to reach out.

Please support Mike Talbott and the MSHS Key club by participating in their fun games (longest drive, putting contest, etc) as they too will be out on the course during this tournament.

Community members are welcome to register for the golf tournament.

Sincerely,

Janie Anderson

MSSD14 Security Director

at the foot of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains.

Email: tdudley@mssd14.org
Website: http://upe.mssd14.org/
Location: 9230 Chipita Park Road, Cascade, CO, USA
Phone: 719-685-2227
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utepasselementaryschool/